To mark the occasion, Ross made comments in regards to the Liberal government’s record and what the New Democrats are offering Ontarians as an alternative.

“People are deciding it’s time for change,” Ross said, referring to Liberal government scandals and what she said were broken promises from the Liberals, and that a New Democrat government under NDP leader Andrea Horwath has a definite plan for job creation and affordability for the people of Sault Ste. Marie and Ontario.

“The Liberal government made 70 promises in their most recent budget but they couldn’t even keep three important promises, things which the people of Ontario wanted and that the NDP asked for in the last budget,” Ross said.

Those three, Ross said, are reduction of auto insurance rates by 15 percent, reduction of waiting times to five days for homecare and the appointment of a financial accountability officer to monitor government spending, pointing to money spent on cancellation of gas plants, eHealth Ontario and Ornge (air ambulance service).

“New Democrats have a plan to create and protect local jobs by stopping giveaways with no strings attached to corporations, rather, we will support corporations like Essar Steel Algoma, Tenaris and the smaller manufacturing businesses in Sault Ste. Marie by having tax credits for investing in infrastructure and improving equipment, tax credits for creating jobs for a much healthier manufacturing sector,” Ross said.

“Small businesses are struggling, they want to employ people…but they’re finding it hard to pay all their bills so we will reduce taxation on small companies and also reduce the hydro rates small companies have to pay.”

“We will clean up the hydro mess and get the bills under control, immediately reduce auto insurance rates by 15 percent and also look at other things that are making life less affordable.”

Referring to the issue of child care, Ross said there are 1,044 children on waiting lists for day care in the Sault and the Liberals have cut $1 million in annual child care subsidies to Sault Ste. Marie.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath has said she will make a $100 million one-time cash injection into Ontario child care if the New Democrats form the next government.

“We want to eliminate government waste, the bloating and mismanagement so that the tax dollars going to government will actually be used for services for people, cap CEO salaries, eliminate bonuses for consultants, create a Ministry of Accountability and Savings as well as the financial accountability office,” Ross said.

“These are very concrete moves so that tax dollars will go to support services like daycare spaces, seniors living in long-term care in dignity, the money will go to things that matter to us.”

Ross said she anticipates NDP leader Andrea Horwath will be visiting Sault Ste. Marie at some point during the election campaign.

There's no disputing the level of investment the Liberal Party has made in Sault Ste. Marie since David Orazietti was elected. With all due respect to Tony Martin, the difference in provincial investment with Orazietti as compared to Martin when he was in office is very noticeable.

She's making a lot of promises with no details. For example, how would the NDP clean up the hydro mess? It exists because of the high cost contracts paid for wind and solar as a subsidy. Does she plan to break the contracts?

Or how is she going to give small businesses cheaper power than every body else? This is just pie-in-the-sky stuff. Promise anything to get elected.

If I give you my vote, and you are lucky enough to form the Government, will YOU ensure that a recall method is put into place for the next election so the voters can recall any member who does not keep his or her promises AFTER they get our vote?

It is a simple question and I am sure that either you or one of your campaign staff are checking the comments on here.

Celia, I'm sure Essar Steel doesn't want the type of "support" your party is offering in the form of higher corporate taxes.

As for her claim that auto-insurance rates haven't gone down 15%, well, she voted against a budget that would have further decreased auto insurance rates ... I also seem to recall that the NDP promised public auto insurance when they were in government so they shouldn't lecture the Liberals on unkept promises related to auto-insurance

moparmike1, Thats because the SOO was always the opposition, so the funds did not trickle down when Tony Martin was elected for the SOO. When Orazetti got elected and Liberal party being in Power and running the government, which enables the funds to trickle down to the City. Its simple Politics.

Why are all of you poster getting Tony Martin involved he has been out of Provincial Politics since 1995 folks that my friends is 19 years count them and what have you gained since. In the past 19 years I worked in the Private and Public Sector and only benefited cause I had a job to pay for all the Liberal scandals by them increasing my employer health tax deductions and bringing in HST boy you people forget real easy what the Liberals and PC's did to the working poor/middle class for the past 19 years. By the way Public auto insurance is working in BC and Manitoba why can't it work in Ontario. Go ahead vote Liberal or PC and you will pay for everything from increases in health care, auto/home insurance, fuel for your home/cars, food, drivers licence fees etc. while not receiving pay increases from your employer.

People never seem to get it, it doesnt matter whos in power, every party has there strengths and weaknesses, my opinion whoever is in power provincially we need to have that party here locally as we do currently. If we have an NDP rep and its the Conservatives in power nothing gets done for us. Im not a David O supporter by any means but its much easier to be a voice and get things accomplished when you are battling with the provincial party of power rather than against it!!!